November 23, 2015

F1 on TV: Abu Dhabi 2015

And so we come, not to the end of the beginning, nor the beginning of the end, but just, simply, the end. The final race of the 2015 Formula 1 season. A season which started eight months ago in Melbourne. Along the way, we've seen one of the less-interesting seasons of racing in recent history. So what does this finishing contest promise? Let's take a look at the track map for the 2015 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi.
We've been here plenty of times before, and pretty much what we've learned is that this is a awful track to race on. Fun to drive, yes, but to contest position? There's one good place to pass, Turn 8/9, with Turns 5-7 being somewhat less swell. Remember, this is the circuit where they thought it would be a good idea to have the pit exit run underneath the track. I suspect it's merely luck that we haven't seen that idea backfire horribly.

So what's the point of this race? Well, Valterri Bottas and Kimi Raikkonen in a fight for fourth place in the driver's championship, one point separating them. Lotus leads Toro Rosso by nine points for sixth in the constructor's championship. And... um... that's about it, really. Most teams will probably be using Abu Dhabi as an extended test session... remember, the 2016 season is only four months away!

Oy.

The Legendary Announce Team has the coverage, as usual. Here's the schedule:Friday
Practice 2: 7a - 830a live on NBCSNSaturday
Quals: 7a - 830a live on CNBCSunday
2015 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi: 6a - 9a live on NBCSN

We'll be along afterwards, of course, with the usual F1Update!. Join us, won't you?

3
Steven, here's a look at the inside of the tunnel. All it'll take is one enthusiastic driver spinning his steed to cause a blockage. Or a broken suspension, or an unfortunately timed engine failure. Or, god help us, a fire.

That it hasn't happened yet just means that it's going to happen eventually.